• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.271-295
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• 1998

This study was performed from October 1997 to March 1998 on 42 healthy students to observe the effects of acupuncture at Hap-kok (LI4) according to the meridian and qi-xue(氣血) phenomenon of oriental medicine's theory. Skin temperature on the Kok-Chi(LI11) and Yong-Hyang(LI20) were measured by D. I. T. I. (Digital Infrared Thermograph Imaging) before acupuncture stimulation, 1min after and after acupuncture stimulation during 10 min. 1. In healthful man, average skin temperature about Kok-Chi area was in low than Yong-Hyang, and temperature change for 10 min was decreased significantly. 2. In Kok-Chi, the temperature decrease index of execution was shown in low than control. 3. When the temperature of Yong-Hyang(left) was higher, the index was shown in high than control. 4. When the temperature of Kok-Chi (left) was higher, execution temperature change was decreased significantly than control. The above results indicates that D. I. T. I. was a useful method to observe follow-up the effects and changes by acupuncture stimulation on objective evaluation of phenomenon for the meridian system. Thus, acupuncture on LI4 affects to thermal changes of ST25 and LI4, but exact examination of thermal changes on ST25 will have to be.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.143-151
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• 2007

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Hap-Kok(LI4) and Jok-Sam-Lee(ST36) acupuncture on blood flow in In-Young(ST9). Method : Monitoring of TCD was examined in each 25's healthy men and wemen in 20s before and after acupucture on both(right and left) Hap-kok(LI4) and was done on both(right and left) Jok-Sam-Lee(ST36) by different group with same condition. Mean velocity and Pulsatility index analyzed from TCD at both In-Young(ST9). Both group was acupuctured for 15-20 minutes laying at bed. Results : The results showed a significant($p{\le}0.05:$ Paired T-test) decrease in mean velocity and increase in pulsatility index at both group. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupuncture could have a specific effect on blood flow called In-Young acupoint.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.66-88
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• 1998

This study was performed from March to September 1997 on 95 healthy students to observe the effects of acupuncture at Hap-kok (LI4) according to the meridian and qi-xue(氣血) phenomenon of oriental medicine's theory. Skin temperature on the Hap-kok (LI4) and Chun-Choo (ST25) were measured by D. 1. T. I. (Digital Infrared Thermograph Imaging) before acupuncture stimulation and 1min, 10 min after acupuncture stimulation. 1. In healthy students, the left and right mean temperature of LI4 and ST25 was $29.04\;^{\circ}C,\;29.12\;^{\cir}C\;and\;30.29\;^{\circ}C,\;30.22\;^{\circ}C$ respectively. 2. In control group, the time dependent changes for 10 min of LI4 and ST25 were $-0.32\;^{\circ}C,\;-0.36\;^{\circ}C\;and\;-0.5\;^{\circ}C,\;-0.46\;^{\circ}C$ respectively, however, the thermal differences of both sides LI4 and ST25 were not changed for 10 min. 3. In acupuncture stimulation of both sides LI4, the time dependent changes of ST25 were $-0.13\;^{\circ}C,\;-0.06\;^{\circ}C$, and the thermal differences of both sides ST25 were reduced, but not changed significantly. In acupuncture stimulation of right side LI4, the time dependent changes of LI4 were $-0.1\;^{\circ}C,\;-0.32\;^{\circ}C$ respectively, and the thermal differences of both sides LI4 were increased more than control, but not significantly. Also, that of ST25 were changed by $-0.69\;^{\circ}C,\;-0.63\;^{\circ}C$ respectively, but not significantly. 4. In acupuncture stimulation group, it was classified following the thermal differences of both sides LI4 and ST25, and the effects of acupuncture were observed by changes of classification. The acupuncture of both sides LI4 results in temperature of the left side ST25 to be high after acupuncture. The acupuncture of right side LI4 results in increased ratio of the left side higher than right LI4. The above results indicates that D. I. T. I. was a useful method to observe follow-up the effects and changes by acupuncture stimulation on objective evaluation of phenomenon for the meridian system. Thus, acupuncture on LI4 affects to thermal changes of ST25 and LI4, but exact examination of thermal changes on ST25 will have to be.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.93-104
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• 2001

Objective : To localize and compare the cerebral regions- activated by the the stimulation of traditional and burning acupunctures in right Hap-Kok (LI4) acupoints. Methods : Thirty-four healthy normal volunteers (19 males, 15 females, age 31${\pm}$11 years) were studies by rest/acupuncture Tc-99m HMPAO SPECT using same-dose sequential injection method using right Hap-Kok(LI4), traditional and burning acupunctures. All images were spatially normalized and the differences between rest and acupuncture activation state were statistically analyzed using SPM 96. Results : Statistical analysis of the effect by the stimulation using traditional acupuncture in right L14 showed regional cerebral perfusion increase in right inferior frontal lobe, right straight gyrus, left anterolateral frontal lobe, left anteroinferior temporal lobe, left posterior temporal lobe, and left cerebellum. In the stimulation using burning acupuncture in right LI4, regional cerebral perfusion increased in right posterior prefrontal lobe, right precental gyrus, right postcentral gyrus, right poteroinferior temporal lobe, left precentral gyrus, left Broca's area, left anterior parietal lobe, left posterior prefrontal lobe, and left cerebellum. In right LA, diffuse perfusion increase were noted in the both inferior frontal lobe by traditional acupuncture compared to burning acupuncture. Conclusion : The results localized the cerebral areas showed the effect of the acupuncture on cerebral blood flow. The effects of traditional and burning acupunctures on cerebral blood flow were similar in right Hap-Kok (LI4) acupoints. But the effects of traditional acupunctures on cerebral blood flow are stronger than those of burning acupunctures on cerebral blood flow.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.75-87
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• 1999

We reported that acupuncture on $LI_4$ effected thermal change on $LI_4$ and ST25 area, And this study was performed on 100 healthy students to observe the effects of acupuncture at Hap-kok ($LI_4$) according to the meridian and qi-xue(氣血) phenomenon of oriental medicine's theory, The results was 1. In healthy man, mean skin temperatures of $LI_4$, ST25, CV12 areas(Control) were decreased, 2. In left $LI_4$ acupuncture group, the temperature of abdominal skin and $LI_4$ area had the tendency of increase, both right and left $LI_4$ acupuncture group, the temperature of abdominal skin and $LI_4$ area had not significant tendency. 3. In the research of thermal difference which eliminate a special region temperature, in the control group, the thermal changes had not significant tendency, in the left $LI_4$ acupuncture group and both right and left $LI_4$ acupuncture group, the thermal changes had tendency to be increased, 4. In the deviation analysis which mean of each group is excluded, in the control group, it turned out that deviation is regular for 10 minutes; in the left $LI_4$ acupuncture group and both right and left $LI_4$ acupuncture group, it turned out that deviation is more larger than the control group for 10 minutes. The above results indicates that Digital Thermography is a useful method to observe effects and changes by acupuncture stimulation on objective evaluation of phenomenon for the meridian system. Thus, acupuncture on $LI_4$ affects to thermal changes of the abdominal skin and $LI_4$ area, but exact examination of thermal changes on abdominal skin will have to be done.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.24-38
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• 2002

This study was undertaken to examine the effects of acupuncture at LI4 on temperature changes of the facial surface randomly divided into 17 areas. The volunteers who participating in this study had taken rest for 20 - 30 min in room temperature ($23-25^{\circ}C$) before acupuncture and informed them what to prohibit smoking, drinking and drug for the previous one day. The Temperature of facial surface was measured by using Digital Thermography IR 2000 (Meridian Co., Korea) at 5 min before and immediately, 5, 10, and 15 min after acupuncture on LI4. The results of this study showed that there was no significancy in thermal changes of facial surface randomly divided into 17 areas, but different significantly in the aggregate changes at the difference of the thermal changes on facial surface (p < 0.001). The difference of aggregate change was increased time-dependent and the changes at 1st, 3rd, and 13th area were comparatively smaller than the other areas. However, the changes at 6th, 8th, 10th and 15th area were more increased than the others. This study suggests that acupuncture at LI 4 help human being increase the reaction to maintain thermal homeostasis in facial surface and the ability to treat at these area's disease.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.22-39
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• 2001

This study is designed to compare the effect of a needle with the magnet on body. We took the skin temperature of the belly with digital infrared thermographic imaging while we sticked needle and apply magnets on L14. We made experiments on 40 healthy male volunteers for one month. We classified control group not acupuncture or magnet adhering(CON). acupuncture group on left and right L14(LA). and the permanent magnet group adhering to left and right(LM). And LM is divided into S-polar permanent magnet group(LMS) and N-polar permanent magnet group adhering to left and right L14(LMN). When we observed that temperature changed with time, the skin temperature of th belly in CON descended significantly but LM, LMS and LMN is not changed significantly. As mentioned above. we observed that the needles on L14 affected the change of temperature on the belly, and conjectured that the appliance of magnets had the same results. If the mechanism depends on the meridian of body and energy. we suppose that the appliance of magnets and needles has same effects.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.187-208
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• 2000

By the activation of ovary hormone, many morphological changes occur in the epithelial cell lines and muscle cells in rat uterus. These two cells in uterus are important to the implantation of embryo, maintaining pregnancy and starting parturition. One important change associated with the morphological change of these two cells in uterus is the change on prostaglandin(PG) metabolism. Its presence and synthesis in endometriurn and myometrium in uterus affects estrous cycle and the start of embryo implantation in uterus. It also performs as an important modulator in parturition. So the abnormally weak expression of PG causes difficulty during labor and over-expression causes pre-term labor. PG biosynthesis starts from either free or liberated arachidonic acids from membrane phospholipid by phospholipase. Such arachidonic acids are converted into PG catalyzed by Cyclooxygenase. Under normal physiological condition, Cyclooxygenase-1(COX-1) having 602 units of amino acids controls the synthesis of PG. It acts as a local hormone regulating vasomodulation of blood flow, flexible muscle movement, increasing the blood permeability and contributing the protective role in preserving integrity of the stomach lining and Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is induced by the inflammation, pregnancy and increased its expression until parturition. Lipid metabolite like PG is located in uterine and expression of COX-2 increased with pregnancy. Increased expression of COX proteins in epithelial cells and myometrial cells are told to increase the muscle contractility in uterus but decreased right after the labor in rat. It is a good sign indicating that COX proteins are deeply related to the start of labor. Currently, Several studies report the use of PG and COX-2 inhibitor as medication for controlled abortion or to prevent pre-term labor but they entail various side-effects. Our study proposed to suggest use of acupuncture as an another mediator to control abortion or pre-term labor without causing unnecessary side-effects by those medicines. Two acupuncture sites, LI-4 & SP-6 were selected due to their known efficacy. From the immunohistochemical staining of COX-2, normal expression of COX-2 protein in nonpregnant SD rat's uterus revealed that COX-2 protein was primarily detected in the lumina epithelial lining and in the epithelial cell lining contacting the stromal cells. High resolution optical microscopic scanning revealed distinguishable staining in the myometrial mucosa. LI-4 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed strong expression for COX-2 in endometrium contacted with lumina epithelial lining of rat uterus and in myometrial mucosa. Stromal cells showed more staining than untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus and stronger staining in stromal cells contacting myometrial layer compared to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus. SP-6 acupuncture administered nonpregnant rat's uterus showed weak expression for COX-2 in myometrial layers and stromal cells but no staining was visible in lumina epitheliai and glandular epithelial cells. Few stromal cells and myometrial mucosa were positively stained for COX-2. Pregnant SD rat's uterus was also immunostained for COX-2 expression after 18 days of pregnancy. Unlike to untreated nonpregnant rat's uterus, luminal epithelial cells were not positively stained for COX-2 but stronger staining for COX-2 was revealed in stromal cells. LI-4 acupunctured SD rat's uterus had very strong expression of COX-2 in luminal epithelial lining. Few stromal cells showed stronger positive COX-2 staining and myometrial layers also showed more expression than untreated pregnant rat. SP-6 acupuncture administered pregnant SD rat's uterus showed positive expression of COX-2 in epithelial cells of luminal mucosa layer but weaker than that of LI-4 acupuncture treatment's case. However, strong positive staining was revealed in stromal mucosa and myometrial layers. Virgin SD rat's uterus motility index during LI-4 acupuncture was 66.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0197) compared to its motility before the acupuncture treatment but the motility index was slighdy elevated up to 79.58 % (Prob〉T = 0.1175) after the acupuncture. During the SP-6 acupuncture treatment for 30 minutes, uterus motility index was 90.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.1832) showing lesser decrement but consequently reached similar motility index decreasal to 79.95 % (Prob〉T = 0.0215) after the acupuncture treatment as LI-4 showed. LI-4 acupuncture tend to be a quick treatment to reducing the uterus motility in a virgin rat but eventually both two acupuncture administration created very similar reduction of uterus motility seeing the index after the both acupunctures. The uterus movement monitored during the LI-4 acupuncture administered for 30 minutes, Pregnant SD rat showed decreased motility down to 77.90 % (Prob〉 T = 0.0076) compared to uterus motility before the acupuncture and it continuously decreased down to 71.81 %(Prob〉T = 0.0214) after the removal of needle. The statistical analysis using paired t-test showed significance difference for both two motility indexs at =0.05. SP-6 acupuncture administered to pregnant SD rat also had similar pattern of decreasing uterus motility index down to 74.70 % (Prob〉T = 0.1730) during the initial 30 minutes acupuncture administration and it was continuously lowered to 71.52 % (Prob〉T = 0.0155) after the acupuncture. The paired t-test resuit for SP-6 suggest prompt response of uterus motility index to the SP-6 acupuncture treatment but consequently reached same level of inducing the motility reduction as LI-4 at =0.05 level.